Sculpt You Body with Liposuction

You dreamily recall the days when your perfect figure used to be the talk of the town. How you used to floor the guys just by your sexy gait! Now with two kids and on the wrong side of forty, all you can do is dream. But, hey! Thanks to your dieting and exercise regimen, you’ve still managed to maintain yourself.

But…sigh…despite all this, certain stubborn areas continue to keep your body out of proportion and no amount of starving or sweating helps in ridding these ‘love handles’. So, what are you to do? Ever heard of body sculpting or body contouring? Welcome to the fascinating world of cosmetic surgery and, more specifically, liposuction that helps rid you of this commonest of all ills!

Liposuction Defined

Liposuction or suction-assisted lipectomy is a highly popular procedure. This cosmetic surgery is used to solve body contour problems caused by unwanted fat deposits that especially target abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles. If plastic surgeons are to be believed, this procedure can make a positive difference anywhere in the body. And it produces the most satisfying results when used for contouring the buttocks, hips and inner thighs. According to the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, liposuction is the most commonly performed procedure followed by breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, facelift and chemical peel. However, liposuction is no magic. It can’t take someone down from a size 16 to a size 2 and the obese also can’t hope to reduce overall body fat.

So, those thinking of replacing appropriate health measures, including eating right and regular exercise, with liposuction can perish the thought. Actually, liposuction is a method of removing localized fat that is stubborn enough not to respond to these measures. So, those with relatively normal weight, with pockets of excess fat in particular areas are the best candidates to go under the knife. And those with firm, elastic skin generally fare better.

Liposuction Procedure

The extent of the area to be covered by liposuction dictates whether you’ll need local anesthesia, which numbs the area, or a sedating medication that allows you to remain awake, but relaxed in minimal discomfort. An epidural block, similar to the anesthesia used in childbirth, is another option. However, if the area of liposuction is large or more in number, then probably general anesthesia is the answer. In this you’ll sleep through the operation. Why this preparation is needed is because liposuction is an invasive procedure.

To perform liposuction, a small incision is made in the area from where the fat is to be removed. A hollow tube called cannula is inserted in this incision, with its other end attached to a machine that creates a strong vacuum. The surgeon than ‘vacuum cleans’ the fat by moving the cannula within the fat layers under the skin. This movement breaks up the fat and the tube sucks it out. The number of incisions depends upon the areas of fat deposition. The procedure normally takes an hour or two, depending upon the thoroughness required in removing fat.

If this procedure sounds dreadful, take comfort in the fact that today liposuction technique has vastly improved. No more are there big cannulas roughing you up under the skin. Today, smaller ones are being used, which reduce trauma to the surrounding tissue while giving greater artistic control to the surgeon. Little wonder this procedure is now also referred to as ‘body sculpting’! Another improvement is the ‘distension technique’ in which a special solution is introduced into the liposuction site before the procedure. This makes it easy to remove the fat in larger quantities, while making the patient suffer less fluid loss.

Post Operative Care and Recovery

Once liposuction procedure has been completed, you’ll be made to wear a snug-fitting elastic dressing, girdle or body stocking over the treated area to control swelling and bleeding. This’ll also help your skin shrink to fit your new contour. Initially, this garment will become a part of your body continuously for five to six weeks. Afterwards, you’ll need to wear it just in the daytime for a few weeks more. You may also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent the infection.

As is true for any surgical procedure, g etting back to normal after liposuction will take time. It won’t be a great feeling either and you’d probably not look great too. Some of you may even get a little heavier temporarily because of the extra fluid intake. You’ll find the suctioned areas swollen and bruised, and with a burning sensation. The pain will invariably be excruciating for which you’d be give pain killers. This may numb the area, but the feeling will return once healing progresses.

Healing will be gradual. The stitches will come off in five to ten days or dissolve, and you can expect to be back at work within two to three days to two weeks after your surgery. You’d need to start walking around as soon as possible to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. However, more strenuous activities will be totally prohibited for two to four weeks. This will basically depend upon the extent of the procedure, your condition and your physician’s recommendations. However, expect some swelling to remain for six months or more. For this, you will need follow-up visits to your surgeon for monitoring progress and any additional procedures, if required.

Scar Scare

It’s not only the trauma of liposuction that scares; it’s the scars of liposuction that is really frightening. The good news is the scars from liposuction are small and if your surgeon is good, they’ll not be visible even if you wear a bikini. However, some cosmetic problems cannot be ruled out. They’re rippling or bagginess of the skin over the treated area and pigmentation changes, like brown spots. Even asymmetry, that is, uneven contour or shape, may sometimes entail a second procedure.

Risks of liposuction

The key to a successful liposuction procedure basically rests on the plastic surgeon. They’ve not only to be adequately trained in body contouring, as well as general surgery; they need to have a properly equipped operating facility too. However, more important is the careful selection of patients by them. Although, liposuction risks are small, complications generally arise if this procedure is combined with a major surgery, like a tummy tuck and the like. This may result in embolism, the obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot or fat globule or phlebitis, the inflammation of a vein resulting from a blood clot. However, a dangerous drop in blood pressure can occur, if too much fat is removed too quickly with liposuction. There is always some fluid loss along with fat removal, so it’s essential to replace this fluid to prevent the body from going into shock. This fluid is generally given intravenously. Even blood transfusions may be required. For this, the blood you’ve donated in advance is used.

Effectiveness of liposuction

The bad news is some people may get the fat back in the same place or elsewhere, depending on their overall body metabolism after a successful liposuction procedure. The good news is results vary from woman to woman. The key to success is to exercise regularly and follow healthy eating habits after surgery, if you don’t want to come under the knife again. A study conducted by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado USA, assessed the effects of liposuction in women over a period of time. It showed that the localized effects are maintained for six to twelve months after the surgery, with the best cosmetic results at three months, especially if weight reduction through diet and exercise begins after the procedure.

Well, if you’re looking for a qualified surgeon to perform liposuction don’t use the phone book. The best source is the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. They’ve a list of certified plastic surgeons in your area. Whichever surgeon you choose, just don’t forget to ask for the names of his or her previous patients to find out the outcome of the procedures. Don’t be rushed into the surgery and ask questions about the procedure, its risks and benefits and anything under the sun, till you’re fully satisfied. Remember, you’re the best person to know what’s best for you!

Pictures of Anterior Abdominoplasty

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Pictures of Extended Abdominoplasty

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Abdominoplasty Insurance

Be warned: Insurance carriers generally do not cover elective, cosmetic surgery. But, your carrier may cover a certain percentage if you have a hernia that will be corrected through the procedure, or your anterior muscles are abnormally spread.

It’s extremely important that you begin communicating with your insurance company early on, and that you discuss your insurance concerns with your surgeon. In most cases, your surgeon will write a letter to your insurance carrier, making the case for medical necessity, if it applies to you.

It’s also very important to realize that insurance may only cover certain portions of the surgery, so make sure you get details. With any cosmetic surgery, this may affect future insurance coverage for you and your premiums may increase.

How can I Finance my Abdominoplasty Operation?

“God! $8,000 for a tummy tuck!!” If this kind of reaction makes your middle quiver like jelly and droop even more, you’re in dire need of information about abdominoplasty financing options available for tummy tuck. Yes, tummy tuck can be expensive and much depends upon the reputation of the surgeon and the severity of the case. Of course, a good surgeon is certainly going to cost more, since he’ll sculpting your body to restore the original you or something even better! And only your surgeon is competent enough to declare whether you need mini-tummy tuck surgery or the more expensive standard abdominoplasty.

Financing tummy tuck

The average national rates for standard tummy tuck range from $5,500 to $7,500. These figures will be correspondingly less for mini-tummy tuck. Since, not all can foot this expense at one go, some financial companies offer easy financing for such cosmetic procedures. And most of these companies can be found online. One such source of surgery financing is www.doctorssayyes.org that offers fast and simple, one-step and no obligation paperwork online.

It guarantees getting approval for financing all or part of your cosmetic surgery procedure through a group of Board Certified Surgeons. Once approved, you’ll be entitled free consultation with the surgeon who has extended the financing terms to you. Some other financing companies also offer certain benefits, like easy fixed interest rates, 12 to 60 month terms, deferred payments up to 3 months, no interest option up to 12 months, and the option to choose your own surgeon.

Cosmetic surgery financing from a good financing company works out well for most. For instance, the payback installments for a typical liposuction or tummy tuck procedure, costing $5,500 to $7,500, would be in the range of an affordable $165 to $375 a month. However, be clear that everyone and everything connected with the surgery gets financed, like the surgeon’s fee, the cost of the surgical facility, anesthesia, medical tests, prescriptions and other miscellaneous costs related to tummy tuck. A comprehensive cost figure may be obtained while consulting with the surgeon. Make sure the total figure includes any and all costs associated with a tummy tuck. Also clarify whether you’ll get additional funds from the financial company should complications develop from the surgery.

The best way to get the complete information about tummy tuck financing is to look around and talk to people who’ve had this procedure done. Online companies, like www.doctorssayyes.org are a big help in doing a hassle-free job for you. Little wonder when it’s your turn for financing plastic surgery for your tummy tuck, doctors do say yes!

How much does a tummy tuck and mini tummy tuck cost?

As middle age creeps up on you, the washboard abdomen of your dreams turns to jelly. And it may not be just bad dietary habits and lack of exercise alone, time, gravity and pregnancies also do take their toll. Face it; the folds of skin hanging from your middle do look obnoxious and prompt you to do something about them. The good news is you can get rid of them easily by investing in abdominoplasty or tummy tuck abdominal surgery.

Understanding tummy tuck procedure

Since a tummy tuck surgery is meant to make you look good and feel good about yourself, it’s basically a cosmetic procedure and not a life saving one, unless you equate good looks with your dear life! So, choosing an excellent surgeon is important, and here an average one won’t do. After all you don’t want to get scarred for life through a cheap tummy tuck.

Basically in this procedure, the surgeon removes the excess skin and fat from your middle and lower abdomen, and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. This involves major surgery and, if performed correctly, can once again give you your dream abs. Since, abdominoplasty is almost body sculpting, the skills of the surgeon varies and so does tummy tuck prices.

Tummy tuck cost

The cost of surgery depends on the problem and complexity of the surgical sculpture. When calculating the cost of liposuction and tummy tuck, you’ll need to consider several additional costs too. There’s a facility fee and anesthetist charges depending upon where the surgery is being performed, in the office or the hospital operating room. Post surgery care and medication is also required to be taken into account.

The cost depends upon the type of surgery being performed. Depending upon the severity of the case, there are two types of tummy tuck procedures – the mini-tuck abdomioplasty and the standard tummy tuck abdomioplasty. Let’s see what they are and what they cost:

a. Mini-tummy tuck abdominoplasty: Limited incision abdominoplasty includes many techniques, one of which is mini-tuck abdominoplasty. This procedure is basically for contour problems and not for loose skin, for which standard abdominoplasty is recommended. It can include liposuction contouring, limited skin excision sculpting tissue below the belly button, tightening of the lower part of the abdominal rectus muscles, tightening of the upper part of the abdominal rectus muscles and slight adjustment of the skin above the belly button. Surgery can also involve more extensive sculpture of the abdominal muscle wall. The cost of mini tummy tuck ranges from $2,500 to $3,000. b. Standard abdominoplasty: There are many possible problems that can be improved with a standard tummy tuck surgery tailored to specific problem. This procedure can make major changes for the abdominal wall and restore drooping stomach wall tissues, giving a more youthful appearance to the abdomen. It can also remove localized fat and tighten loose skin and lax muscles. Little wonder abdominoplasty can make you feel much better about yourself. Of course, the cost for this procedure is much more than that of a mini-tuck and can range from $3,500 to $5,000. For removing the stretch marks and stretched out skin after pregnancy, the prices could be in the neighborhood of $6,000 to $8,000.

The prices mentioned are the average costs of tummy tuck, as the surgery depends upon the skill of the surgeon and the severity of the case. However, it’s a small price to pay, if you don’t want to explore tummy tuck alternatives, but still want to restore your self esteem and regain your youthful without lifting a finger!

How is the Recovery Process After Your Tummy Tuck?

Your tummy tuck surgery was a success. The plastic surgeon had gone about the procedure in a professional manner and succeeded in tightening your abdominal muscle and trim unnecessary skin to give you a firm and smooth abdomen. This cosmetic procedure not only got rid of the loose skin, flabby muscles and excessive fat in the abdominal area, but also did away with a sense of worthlessness that consumed you in your out-of-shape body. Now the only thing left for you is to take proper steps to accelerate the recovery process.

Tummy tuck aftermath

Just describing the cuts and stitches in tummy tuck procedure will make some cringe. Of course, the body gets all cut up in this surgery. The common side effects experienced are discomfort or pain, which for the first few days may require pain killers, bruises and swelling of the abdomen, bleeding, numbness of the central part of the abdomen below the navel and even nausea or vomiting after general anesthesia.

Steps to recovery

There are some steps to tummy tuck recovery:

a. Postoperative care in the hospital: The moment you’re wheeled into your room from the operation theatre, postoperative care for recovery commences. This mainly includes rest and a regimen of antibiotics and painkillers. You’ll be lying with your legs bent at the hips, to reduce the strain on the abdominal area, and wearing a compression garment over the treated area to control swelling and speed up healing.

Although, medically a 2-day bed rest is recommended, but depending upon your condition, you can show good recovery in a few hours or may take several days to recover. Basically, it’s the degree of your physical fitness that’ll dictate the speed of recovery, so the fitter you are the faster will be the recovery.

b. Care at home: The thing to bear in mind is you don’t become fit at the hospital and then go home. Healing is an ongoing process, so you’ll need to be doubly careful at home, since no medical help will be at hand. This is the reason why your surgeon will give you explicit and personalized instructions regarding tummy tuck recovery. The directions will include ways to prevent blood clots, monitoring infection in the scar wound and optimizing tummy tuck recovery, including ways to prevent excessive scarring. Tummy tuck recovery for a person with strong abdominal muscles can take less than two weeks, while for those unaccustomed to exercise may take significantly longer. Full tummy tuck recovery generally takes 6 months, when all swelling is gone and scar tissue is drastically reduced.

c. Maintaining the new abdomen: Now that you’ve got a brand new middle, maintaining it that way is important. And maintenance basically involves a good exercise and diet regimen. This’ll reduce tummy tuck swelling, tone the muscles and lower the chances of blood clots. Of course, light exercise in the beginning is recommended, until you feel comfortable in doing vigorous exercises.

Identify the danger signs

There’s every likelihood for you to consider any ailment and discomfort you feel while recovering a natural stage of recovery. However, this may not be so and may even prove harmful. So, if anytime you feel severe pain, signs of infection, like redness in the scar tissue accompanied by fever and breathing difficulties, contact your surgeon right away.

The process of recovery may discourage some in considering tummy tuck surgery as an option to get their youthful looks back. However, if you’re physically fit and healthy, but only out-of-shape, you should not fear the scalpel, because not only would you take the surgery well, you’ll recover quickly too.

Will I Have a Permanent Scar After My Tummy Tuck?

An expert plastic surgeon can bring back your youthful looks by sculpting your abdomen through abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) procedure. However, as with any other surgery, your dream washboard abs and flat tummy comes with a price and the price is a scar. If your surgeon is really an expert, he’ll be able to sew you up real nice, but if he’s not, you can get stuck with such ugly scars that may very well make you rue the day you opted for this procedure.

The scar-studded operation

Tummy tuck abdominoplasty involves physical removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen through surgery. The surgeon also tightens the abdominal wall. Although, this procedure dramatically reduces the appearance of a protruding abdomen and stomach, it can leave you with some telltale marks.

Since, abdominoplasty surgical sculpting is much more severe than liposuction, which removes only the localized fat collections, it plays that much more havoc with the body. The problem is the appearance of a long and permanent scar from where excess skin and fat are removed. But you should really thank your stars you’d not gone in for a total body lift, where the scar extends around the entire body!

However, if you really want to play it safe, pray your surgeon recommends mini abdominoplasty, where the scar is the shortest. This is because in mini tummy tuck operation, the amount of loose skin to be removed is the least. In a typical tummy tuck, the scars can extend from hip to hip and another one around the belly button.

Understanding tummy tuck scars

The moment your surgeon lays the scalpel over your skin for tummy tuck surgery, say goodbye to flawless skin! Scarring has to take place. In most cases the scars will extend across the lowest part of your abdomen right above your bikini line. Another scar is likely to be around your belly button. The good news is your swimming suit can hide these scars easily. Many scars heal, but others remain quite visible. So, if you’re concerned about scarring, ask yourself what’s important to you – skin folds or scarring. Of course, if you opt for a tummy tuck procedure, you may feel better with a flatter abdomen and scars than with a bulging belly.

Typically, scars will appear dark and thick a few weeks after the surgery and may continue to look the same for a number of months. You may even find your surgical scars worsening during the first few months. However, with the passage of time, they’ll become thinner, pliable, and less visible. And once the wound heals and improves, the scars will also become less noticeable. And, if you’re lucky, they may just fade way. In some tummy tuck cases, it can take up to a year before most scars flatten out and lighten in color. However, if you’ve a genetic predisposition to poor wound healing, the scars may simply refuse to fade. Your previous scar healing history is a good indicator to find out whether you fall in this category.

Another obnoxious looking condition is a visible raised scar. Although, it’s infrequent, it can very well rear its ugly head. However, most plastic surgeons use techniques designed to make it less common. So, if you’re looking for a plastic surgeon, ask for the postoperative photos of his or her previous patients and look closely at the scars. If they’re thin and fine, it should be fine with you, but if they’re raised and visible, chances of a botched up job cannot be ruled out.

Although, the mere thought of scarring seems unsettling, it should not deter you from getting in shape through tummy tuck. If you follow the surgeon’s advice strictly, you’ll be able to make the scars invisible…well almost!

What are the complications and side effects with a tummy tuck?

A surgery is a lifesaver if conducted properly, but, God forbid, if something goes wrong, it can put you in some grave problems. This is as true for a tummy tuck. Although chances of anything going wrong in an abdominoplasty are small, there are a number of potentially serious complications, which cannot be ruled out.

The likely tummy tuck complications

Tummy tuck procedure involves cutting open your abdomen to take out fat, skin and tissue. So, it’s quite possible for things to go wrong. Let’s see what all complications can occur:

a. Pain and tenderness: The post surgery pain varies from person to person. For some it may be quite severe. Tenderness in the scar may also last for several weeks.

b. Swelling: Swelling may trouble most patients in the first two months after the surgery. Women generally experience swelling in the labia and men in the scrotum.

c. Bruising: It’s common to experience bruising on the abdomen. However, in more severe cases it may extend to the surrounding skin. In severe cases, the bruises may also bleed.

d. Bleeding or hematoma: Although, drains are used after surgery, but some patients may collect blood. If bleeding is severe and doesn’t stop, it may require a transfusion.

e. Seroma: There are cases in which serum may sometimes get secreted beneath the skin. This leads to collection of fluid and give rise to a condition called seroma. In severe cases, surgery or aspiration of this fluid may be required.

f. Fat necrosis: When the abdominal wall is stretched as tummy tuck procedure, the blood supply to the remaining fat and skin may get damaged. On rare occasions this may lead to necrosis of fat cells, which become liquefied and hardened. In severe cases, even infection can develop in these areas.

g. Infection: Infection can become a serious problem and coupled with bleeding can lead to hematoma.

h. Thick scar formation: Scar formation cannot be avoided, but if it’s long and thick, it can pose some problems. Although, scar revision sometimes helps, some scars cannot be improved. This condition is more common in those who’re genetically prone to heavy scars.

i. Umbilical retraction or necrosis: There’s a need to reposition umbilicus during abdominoplasty. However, in certain cases the blood supply gets damaged in doing so. Another problem that may occur is even when all scars have contracted; the umbilicus may not get aligned along the midline.

j. Numbness or changed feeling: Unusual feeling or numbness in the abdomen can be experienced by some and may last for many months.

k. Abnormal reaction to stitches: Body’s reaction to stitches, especially if they’re permanent or slow dissolving ones, is to reject them. This may cause problems.

l. Skin tissue death loss: Sometimes the abdominal wall may be stretched in excess during surgery and results in damage to the skin’s blood supply. This may result in dead skin that may need grafting. Diabetics and smokers are more prone to this condition.

m. Wound dehiscence or separation: The scar may separate while healing, leading to a heavier scar and slower recovery.

n. Serious and life threatening problems: All major surgeries can turn fatal and abdominoplasty is a major operation with all the attendant risks. So, you cannot rule out blood clots in the legs, lung problems, pulmonary embolus and even death. You may even have a bad reaction to anesthesia.

Although, tummy tuck complications cannot be ruled out, it shouldn’t deter you to opt for this procedure. You can reduce your risk of complications by not only closely following your surgeon’s instructions, before and after the surgery, but also by educating yourself about these potential risks and minimizing them.